Iran downgrades priority of Shihab-3 in favor of long-range missile

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Iran has downgraded its Shihab-3 program and is focusing on longer-range missiles that can strike Europe and the United States, a senior Israeli defense source says.

The source said Iran has apparently reduced efforts to complete the Shihab-3, with a range of 1,300 kilometers, to concentrate on missiles with a range of up to 10,000 kilometers [6,200 miles].

"The Iranians will complete the Shihab-3," the senior source said. "It could be this year or next year. But they have been looking ahead to more strategic missiles."

The source confirmed that Iran plans to test-launch the Shihab-5 missile, with a planned range of 10,000 kilometers, within the next two months.

Iran, the source said, will complete the development of the Shihab-3 by the middle of next year. At that point, the source said, Teheran will immediately launch production.

Earlier, Israel's Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz said the missile will undergo "final development" of the Shihab-3 next year. The missile, with a range of between 1,200 to 1,400 kilometers, will be able to strike targets anywhere in Israel, Mofaz said.

Mofaz's assertion was the first that reported a delay in Iran's development plans. As recently as March, senior intelligence sources said Iran would finish development of the Shihab-3 by the end of 1999 and begin production next year.

The development delays come despite what Mofaz termed as massive help by Russia for the Shihab program. Western intelligence sources said the delays appear to stem from Iranian difficulties in completing Shihab's guidance system and installing a nonconventional warhead.

Mofaz told the Israel Management Forum in Tel Aviv that Iran is trying hard to complete the missile development while developing nonconventional warheads. He said the missile threat requires Israel to bolster its standing army to ensure that it can repel any attack until the reserves are mobilized.

Israel regards Syria's arsenal of Scud B and Scud C missiles as a short-term threat and the Shihab-3 as the longer term threat. He said the missile threat is aimed at airports, strategic sites, cities and storehouses of vital equipment.